Historical Timeline

Events

Before the 17th century

Chemical Test

Valentin Ross discovered a more specific way to look at small amounts of Arsenic

Chemical Test

1814

Mathieu Orilla (aka 'Father of Forensic
Toxicology') published article on detection of poisons and
effects

19th century

1827

Medical stuff improved through technology and microscopes were first invented

19th century

1828

Polarizing microscope invented

19th century

1839

Microscopic for the sperm was also invented

Chemical Test

1839

1st use of toxicological evidence in criminal trial

Photographs

1850 - 1860

Photographs were use to show evidence

Chemical Test

1863

1st presumptive test for blood

Photographs

1879

Alphonse Bertillon introduced the Bertillon's
system (aka Anthropometry)
-can identify people by their appearances
-It was a more accurate way to identify people which worked for nearly 2 decades

Sherlock Holmes

1887 - 1893

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created a character that influenced investigators and later modern shows like CSI

Jack the Ripper

1888

There was a notorious serial killer that terrorized London

Criminal Investigation

1893

Hans Gross published a book that helped forensic science in criminal investigations

ABO blood typing

1901

Discovered by Karl Landsteiner

Will West case

1903

2 men who looked identical but weren't the same person led to end of Anthropometry

Questioned Documents

1910

Published by Albert Osborn

Locard's Exchange Principle

1913

By Edmond Locard: When 2 objects come into contact with each other, a cross‑
transfer of materials occurs that can connect a criminal
suspect to the victim or the crime scene. Locard also started
the irst known police crime lab.

20th century

1923

Walter McCrone the 'Father of Modern Microscopy'

History of Crime Labs in the United States

1923

First Crime Lab PD in Los Angeles

History of Crime Labs in the United States

1930

University of California at Berkeley Criminalistics
Department led by Dr. Paul Kirk